Columbia University was given a $200 million gift from Mortimer B. Zuckerman, a Canadian-born American businessman and is currently the Chairman of Boston Properties and the owner of the New York Daily News since 1993. The said fund will be used for a Mind Brain Behavior Institute for the university.

Mortimer B. ZuckermanImage Credit: News.Columbia.com

According to a press release at News.Columbia.com this Monday, December 17, 2012, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Columbia‘s $200 million gift from Zuckerman in a university forum, which was attended by Zuckerman, Columbia UniversityPresident Lee C. Bollinger, among others.

“This country has provided me with extraordinary opportunities, and I am glad for the chance to support scientific leadership in a field I believe is so essential to all our lives. With an inspiring team of neuroscientists at its core, Columbia’s Mind Brain Behavior Institute is not only researching vital questions about diseases of the brain, especially as we age, it is bringing together talented researchers across many academic fields to address the central questions we face as a society.” Zuckerman was quoted in the report.

“At its root, this is an investment in accomplished scholars whose collective mission is both greater understanding of the human condition and the discovery of new cures for human suffering. I can hardly think of anything more important than that. I feel deeply privileged to participate in this path-finding venture.” Zuckerman added.

“On behalf of the University, I want to express our gratitude to Mort Zuckerman for this historic gift and also acknowledge the profound responsibility we have to marshal these resources to expand our knowledge of the mind, brain, and human behavior.” Bollinger said of the pledge from Zuckerman.

As noted in the report, the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute will be located within the 450,000 square-foot Jerome L. Greene Science Center, now under construction of Columbia University‘s new campus in Manhattanville, New York City.